Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 10,697, Thomas Folger, New York

SERVICE
New York
Folger, Thomas
NUMBER
S. 10.697
Born in England CONTENTS
carded

8787 New York
Thomas Holgren
Saratoga in the State of NY who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Wasson of the Reg't commanded by Col. Wimple in the N. York for Two years
Inscribed on the Roll of N York at the rate of 80 Dollars — Cents per annum, to commence on the 14th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 27. day of April 1838. and sent to Giles F. Yates Treasurer
Arrears to the 14th of March 1838. . . $160.00 Pensant. allowance ending 4. Sept 1838. . . 40 $200.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by George Taylor Clerk, Book 8 Vol 4 Page 19

State of New York — County of Saratoga } ss
On this fourth day of September One thousand Eight Hundred and Thirty-two, personally appeared in open Court, before the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for said County, now sitting, Thomas Holger of the town of Charlton in said County, aged seventy four years and upwards, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832.
He was born in the Town of Illington in the County of Norfolk, England, on the twenty-sixth Day of April, one thousand seven hundred and fifty- eight six . He has a certificate of his age signed by the Rector of the Parish in which he was born. He came over to America with his parents, in the year One thousand seven hundred and seventy-four, and settled in Currie bush in the then County of Albany, now town of Princetown in the County of Schenectady. After the revolutionary war he removed to said town of Charlton & has resided there ever since.
He entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated.
In the spring of the year one thousand seven hundred and seventy-five, he volunteered his services in the army of the revolution. He procured his name to be enrolled in

The militia Company in his beat, to wit the Company of Captain Thomas Watson in Colonel Abraham Wemple's Regiment. The names of his other Company and Field officers whom he recollects, were as follows. Abraham Swits and Mynkert Wemple Majors - John Thornton Lieutenant, William Moore Ensign John Swertin orderly sergeant.
He performed military service with the detachments of militia from said Regiment that were from time to time ordered out, sometimes to cooperate with the regular troops, at other times to defend the inhabitants of different settlements on our frontiers from the depredations of parties of the British, Indians and Tories. In these services he was employed for a longer or shorter period every year from the time he entered the service as aforesaid until the termination of the war. How often he was out every year, and how long in each expedition, it is impossible for him to remember. Yet he conscientiously believes, that the time he served his country, in the revolutionary war, exceeds two years . He has performed garrison duty at sundry times at the following military posts and forts - at the upper middle and lower forts of Schoharie on three different occasions - was on several occasions at Schenectady, Fort Hunter, & Fort Paris (Stone Arabia). He was at Fort Edward in the fall of the year 1776 - also when General Burgoyne and his army were in that vicinity in the fall of the year 1777 - was at Fort George when  was it was destroyed by the American troops, & in General Schuyler's retreat to Bemis's heights. The next day after General

later arrived at Bemis's Heights he was discharged, the term of his tour of duty, on that occasion having expired. He then went home, and had remained there only two days when he was again ordered out to the West. He was several times at the German Flatts, performing garrison duty there, also several times at Johnstown, and at Boman's Creek. After the last named place was destroyed by the British and Indians, he went out as a scout in company with Red-jacket, two other Indians, and Lieutenant Thornton aforesaid. He was out as a scout also on several other occasions.
There was a noted Tory named Joseph Bettis in the neighbourhood of Ballston, who was continually communicating intelligence to the enemy. It therefore became a matter of some importance to have said Bettis, and his associates apprehended. Small parties of militia men were from time to time ordered out for this purpose, but for a great while with little success. He was at length however taken prisoner, and executed at Albany as a spy. He (the claimant) was several times in pursuit of said Joseph Bettis.
He was at the middle fort of Schoharie in the fall of the year 1780, when Sir John Johnson arrived there with a large party of British and Tories to destroy the settlements in the valley of Schoharie Creek. He saw the celebrated Murphy of Morgan's Rifle corps, fire upon the British flag as it approached said fort with a demand to surrender. In the summer of 1781, he was with the troops under Colonel Willett in their engagement with

the British & Indians under Major Ross. He was with the troops that pursued Major Ross in his retreat on this occasion, and in company with the party of Oneida Indians who followed the Walter Butler. saw said Walter at West Canada Creek shot at by an Oneida Indian, who then swam across said creek, (said Walter being on the opposite side) & tomahawked & scalped his fallen foe. He went from thence with Colonel Willett's Regiment to Mayfield & encamped there. He assisted in taking a British soldier prisoner, who was by order of Colonel Willett given up to the Oneidas, who tomahawked him in revenge for the loss of one of their number, who had been stabbed by some one of the enemy, and as this prisoner was found with a bloody knife in his hand, he was suspected to have been the murderer.
The following are some of the regular officers whom he knew; to wit, General Arnold, General Van Rensselaer, Adjutant Jellis A. Honda, Colonels Graansevoort, Van Dyck & Van Schaick.
He never received any written discharge from the service, and believes it was not customary to give written discharges to those who served in the militia.
The following are the names of persons to whom he is known in his present neighbourhood, and who can testify as to his character for veracity, and their belief of his services as a soldier of the revolution; viz. Abraham Wendell, Benjamin Marvin, Kenneth Gordon

Eleazer Dows,
He knows of no witnesses now living, who can state in detail their personal knowledge of his services as aforesaid, and can produce no witnesses to prove any part of said services, other than those whose affidavits are herewith produced (hereto annexed), viz the affidavits of John J. Schermerhorn, Bartholemew Schermerhorn and John D. Vrooman of the County of Schenectady.
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State
Sworn and Subscribed the day & year aforesaid in open court Francis Palmer Clerk
Thos Holger
(We Benjamin Munnin residing in the Town of Charlton in the County of Saratoga aforesaid, and Kenneth Gordon residing in the said Town of Charlton do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Thomas Holger, who has subscribed and sworn to the foregoing declaration; that we believe him to be seventy-four years of age; that he is reputed and believed in the neighbourhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn & Subscribed } B. Munnin the day & year first aforesaid } Kenneth Gordon Francis Palmer Clerk

And the said Court, do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant Thomas Folger was a revolutionary soldier & served as he states. And the said Court further Certifies, that it appears to them that Benjamin Mervin ————— who signed the preceding certificate is a ————— resident in the town of Churton aforesaid, and that Kenneth Gordon who has also signed the same is a resident in the town of Churton aforesaid; & that they are both credible persons, and that their statements are entitled to credit.
I Thomas Palmer Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in and for said County of Saratoga, do hereby Certify, that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of said Court in the matter of the application of Thomas Folger for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand & affixed my seal of Office the day & year first aforesaid
Thomas Palmer Clerk

State of New York County of Schenectady } S.
John I. Schurmer- horn of the City of Schenectady, in the County of Schenectady, being duly sworn and examined doth depose and say that he is well acquainted with Thomas Folger of the town of Charlton in the County of Sara- toga in said State, an applicant for a pen- sion under the act of Congress approved on the seventh day of June 1832 - and that he this deponent was well acquainted with said Thomas Folger in the time of the rev- olutionary war - that this deponent was in the year One thousand seven hundred & seventy-eight at Fort Paris in the town of Stone Arabia in the then County of Tryon now County of Montgomery performing gar- rison duty at that place in the Regiment of Militia under the Command of Colonel Abra- ham Wimple, and remembers in the year last- named and at said Fort to have seen said Thomas Folger in like manner performing garri- son duty in said Regiment - and this deponent knows that said Thomas Folger was a private in Captain Thomas Watson's Company of Mi- litia in said Regiment - and this deponent further saith, that before the year one thou- sand - seven hundred and seventy - eight afore- said; as well as subsequent thereto, he this de- ponent saw said Thomas Folger perform military

duty in said Company during said war at Schenectady & other places, and knows that said Thomas Folger continued to serve in said Company until the end of said war but in what particular expeditions other than that at Fort Paris before named said Thomas Folger served, this deponent has no personal knowledge of.
Subscribed & sworn this } John J Schermerhorn 13 th July 1832 before me } on Wm Strong J.P.

County of Schenectady ss.
Bartholemew Schermerhorn of the town of Rotterdam in said County, being duly sworn and examined doth depose and say, that he was during the revolutionary war and is now well acquainted with Thomas Folger referred to in the preceding affidavit of John T. Schermerhorn - that he was for a short time a member of a company of Militia commanded by Captain Abraham Ootshout in Colonel Abraham Wemple's Regiment. He remembers to have seen said Thomas Folger performing military duty in said Regiment on several occasions - but to what Company said Thomas Folger belonged or how long he served this Deponent cannot say - and though he has no personal knowledge of his having served at the places & for the period set forth by said Thomas Folger in his declaration, yet has no doubt but he served as he states - that said Thomas Folger is a man of character & veracity & that his statements are entitled to credit.
Subscribed & sworn this 15 th Day of August 1832, before me W m Strong J.P.
I the said William Strong do hereby certify, that I am well acquainted with Bartholemew Schermerhorn who has subscribed and sworn to the preceding deposition. I am also acquainted with John T. Schermerhorn who

has in like manner before me subscribed and sworn to the annexed affidavits. & that they are men of credibility & their statements are entitled to credit. W m Strong J.P.
State of New York County of Schenectady } ss
I, John S. Vrooman Clerk of said County, do hereby Certify, That William Strong, Esq. before whom the preceding affidavits of John T. Scher- merhorn & Bartholemew Schermerhorn were sworn was on the respective days of the dates of said affidavits a Justice of the Peace in & for said County, & that the his signatures "W m Strong" to each affidavit as well as to the certificate annexed to said affidavits is genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed my seal of office this sixteenth day of August Anno Domini 1832.
J. S. Vrooman Clerk.

N o 12,454 Thomas Folger
G. F. Yates Schenectady N.Y.

BRIEF in the case of  Thomas Folger  County of Saratoga  in the State of NY  (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Court  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he? 74  4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed. 
   Period. Duration of Service. Rank. Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.   Years, Months, Days.     In 1775 he enrolled in the Militia for during the war - he cannot specify the number or length of the different calls but is certain his actual service. As a Gen. Col. M'Nickle, Col. M'Nickle   was 2 — — drafted  
 5. In what battles was he engaged?  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Gurriesbush  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Depositions & tradition  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? 
X  Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
Levin Bell Examining Clerk.

Rev. and 1812 Wars Section
AEE/HCM
January 22, 1930.
Mr. John S. Thomas 94001 Thermal Avenue Oakland California.
Dear Sir:
I advise you that this Bureau is unable to furnish the history of a soldier of the Revolution unless a claim for pension or bounty land has been made to the United States on account of his services.
The records fail to show such a claim on file on account of the services of John Fitch as described by you, or Nathan Folger.
The following is the history of the only soldier surnamed Folger that is found on the Revolutionary War records of this Bureau.
From the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim S. 10697, it appears that Thomas Folger was born April 26, 1756 in Illington, County of Norfolk, England, came to America with his parents, whose names are not shown, in 1774 and settled in Curriesbush, Albany County which was later Princetown, Schenectady County, New York.
While residing at said Curriesbush, Thomas Folger volunteered in the spring of 1775, served at various periods until the termination of the war, amounting in all to at least two years in Captain Thomas Wasson's Company, Colonel Abraham Wempel's New York Regiment, defending the frontiers, and was in skirmishes with the Indians and Tories.
After the Revolution he moved to Charlton, Saratoga County, New York, and while residing there he was allowed pension on his application executed September 4, 1832.
There are no data relative to wife and children.
Very truly yours,
EARL D. CHURCH Commissioner.

18 Thomas Folger
12. 654 Amesago: Court
In the matter of the application of Thomas Folger for a Pension
Proceedings &c
No 3
To the care of Giles H. Yates Schenectady, N.Y.
Abner Dyer

State of New York — } ss. County of Schenectady }
John I. Vrooman of the City of Schenectady in said County being duly sworn and examined, doth depose and say, that he is well acquainted with Thomas Folger referred to in the preceding depositions of John I. Schermerhorn and Bar- tholemew Schermerhorn - that this Deponent was acquainted with said Thomas Folger in the time of the revolutionary war, and knows that he was a private in Captain Thomas Wapon's Company of Militia in Colonel Abraham Wemple's Regiment - this Depo- nent was enrolled as a private in Captain John Mynders's Company of Militia in the same regiment in the year one thousand seven hundred and seventy nine, and this Deponent was drafted that together with said Thomas Folger and many others from said Regiment and were ordered out in the fall of said year to Fort Paris, and remained there in Company with said Thomas Folger performing garrison duty at said fort for a term of more than one month - this Deponent further saith that he hath no personal knowledge of the said Thomas Folger being out on any military expedition other than the one before named, yet has no doubt but that said Thomas Folger performed military duty as he alleges during the whole of said war, both previous and subsequent to the year last named - and knows

that said Thomas Folger in common with all the members of the Company of said Thomas Wagon were particularly distinguished for their fidelity & zeal in the cause of their Country, and were always ready to perform their duty when called upon.
Subscribed & sworn this } 16 th day of August } John J. Vrooman 1832, before me James W. Ryley Judge Schenectady county courts
I, James W. S. Ryley before whom the preceding deposition of John J. Vrooman was sworn, do hereby certify that I am intimately acquainted with said John J. Vrooman, & know him to be a man of veracity, and that his statements are entitled to the most implicit credit. Witness my hand this 16 th August 1832 James W. S. Ryley Judge
State of New York County of Schenectady ss. I, John J. Vrooman Clerk of said County do hereby certify that James W. S. Ryley before whom the preceding deposition of John J. Vrooman was taken & who signed the above certificate, is on the day of the date thereof, and is now a Judge of the County Courts of said County, and that his signature to said deposition & certificate

is genuine - Witness my hand and seal of office this 17 th Day of August Anno Domini 1830
John L. Vrooman Clerk

9400 Thermal Ave Oakland, Calif January 12-30
Bureau of Pensions Washington, D. C.
Dear Sir,
I am looking up family genealogy. I believe I am a son of the American Revolution & wish to prove it.
I had two grandfathers lived during the Revolutionary War one Captain Nathan Foley of Nantucket Mass. and another by Name of Fitch father of Mary Maynard Fitch of Hudson New York, a John Fitch was a lieutenant in the American Army, he was born in Windsor Conn. 1743. kindly
Can you give me any light on the Fitchs in war & descendants by Pension lists.
Very truly Yours John S. Thomas An American

9400 Shemul Ave. Oakland, Calif. Dec. 4-1929
Commissioner of Pensions Washington, D. C. Recd
Dear Sir, At the suggestion of Major Genl. Bridges of Washington I am writing for information in regard to Captain Nathan Folger (deceased) of Nantucket, Mass. The Folgers were an old Nantucket family mostly sea captains & probably descended from Peter Folger a pioneer of Nantucket and grandfather of Benj. Franklin According to the story told me by grandmother Angelina Folger Thomas of Hudson N. Y. Capt. Nathan Folger was a soldier in the revolutionary war & took part in the American defense of Bunker Hill (Breed's Hill) Boston. Whether he got the title of Captain as a soldier or on the sea I do

not know but I do know he was an American patriot & built his house in Nantucket with wooden pegs so as not to use British imported nails. Up to a few years ago his house was a show place for tourists to old Nantucket, Mass.
This letter is written to try to confirm my grandmother's story as to the Captain Nathan Folger being in the Revolutionary war and any definite information would be gladly received by
Yours Very Truly
his great-great grandson John S. Thomas of a family of soldiers Thomas
P.S. If you can't find Capt. Nathan Folger please see if any Folgers were soldiers

Reuben
10697 INVALID.
File No. 10,697
Thomas Folger
Briv. Rev. War.
Act: June 7 th 1832
Index:—Vol. A , Page 130
[Arrangement of 1870.]

1930, Jan 2, Visit to Mr. John D. Thomas, M.E.E.

N o 12.454
Thos. Folger
G. F. Yates
Schentachy
NY

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Thomas Folger which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? yes II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? yes III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so? IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? yes V. * Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled? yes VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? yes VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? yes VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? yes IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? yes X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal? yes

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service? Supplia
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it?
XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had?
XIV. † If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service? yes
If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath, certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses? yes
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct? yes
XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service? yes
XVI. ‡ Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? yes
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? yes
EXPLANATORY NOTES.
* QUERE V. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades; For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____ For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension.

It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours; the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must in every case be clearly shewn under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
† QUERE XIV. Proof of Service.
In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
‡ QUERE XVI. Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
□ In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, has no public seal of office, the certificate of a member of congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.

BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*
NAME Foliard, John GRADE Private LINE New York
WARRANT NUMBER 7112 ACREAGE 100 ISSUED Oct. 1, 1790
to Abraham Nelson, assignee
*The information concerning the issuance of warrants carded on this form is found in volumes 2 to 4 of "Land Warrants Issued Prior to 1800" which are registers of bounty land warrants issued to non-commissioned officers and privates under congressional resolutions of September 16, 1776, and subsequent dates. Other records relative to the applications for warrants appear to have been destroyed in the War Department fire of November 9, 1800. Information concerning warrants surrendered to the Federal Government is to be found in General Land Office records in The National Archives.